‘CBI, ED haven’t come in yet?': Congress leader BV Srinivas' SC hearing sees lighthearted moment
2 min read . Updated: 17 May 2023, 10:12 PM IST
PremiumDuring a Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday regarding harassment allegations against Indian Youth Congress chief BV Srinivas, Justice BR Gavai injected a bit of humor into the proceedings by asking if the ED and CBI had already become involved in the case.
A Supreme Court hearing took a slightly humorous turn on Wednesday, with Justice BR Gavai wondering if the ED and CBI had already stepped in. The case pertains to harassment allegations levelled against Indian Youth Congress chief BV Srinivas earlier this year. The politician had approached the apex court on Monday challenging the Gauhati High Court order that rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
The bench asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju if he was appearing for one of the central probe bodies.
“So the CBI and ED have not yet come in?" the judge asked as the lawyer said he was representing the Assam government.
Raju claimed that Srinivas was ‘perpetually unwell’ and ‘defying the notice’
“That might be because of your reputation. You had arrested someone at the Airport," came the rejoiner from Justice Gavai. The court had been alluding to the Assam police's earlier arrest of Congress leader Pawan Khera.
An FIR had been filed against him by expelled woman party member for allegedly causing her ‘mental agony’. The former Assam Youth Congress president alleged that Srinivas had persistently harassed her through sexist remarks and use of slang words.
The woman had claimed that Srinivas had heckled her, held her arm, pushed and pulled her and used slang words during the party's recent plenary session in Raipur. He had also allegedly threatened to ruin her career in the party if she complained against him.
The Congress had issued show cause notice to the woman and later expelled her from the party's primary membership for six years for anti-party activities.
The Gauhati High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea on May 5. The High Court had also refused to quash the FIR. Following this a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala had agreed to list the case on May 15 for hearing.
(With inputs from agencies)